1851 Navy , what maker?

[relicshunter]

Just bought this Navy 1851 Colt replica at a gun show and it doesn't have a lot of info on it. It has the two Italian proof marks on the cylinder(most others have it on the barrel or body). It has a serial number in front of the brass trigger guard. On the barrel the typical patent N. then there's a stylized capital PR(but maybe not a P)and a K66. Other then the "black power only", and the "1851 old model .36 caliber navy revolver" that's all it has. ]Link[/url]

It has a beech wood grip and is in good shape. I paid $125 for it.
]Link[/url]

 

[necchi]

Check this topic in the Member Resources section,
You might find the proper markings; http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/236956/

 

[relicshunter]

Thank you, nice run down of info. It has the two proof house marks,(on the cylinder of all places). They are faint, but I am sure of the star over a hammer & anvil,with crossed rifles, and the another star above a PN in a square. So it went through the Italian proof houses, but... the K66 and not much else. Would I be correct to assume all kit guns would not have the proof marks, because they were not preassembled in Italy?

 

[hawkeye2]

Check the proof marks against the chart to get the date of manufacture or at least the date it was proofed, that might be a big help. Over the years there have been manufacturers that have come and gone. Some of the early (50s & 60s) revolvers were unmarked and no small number of those were passed off as something that they wern't. No matter who made it it seems you got a good deal.

 

[relicshunter]

I have enclosed a pic of the cylinder, there is not even the hint of a date, just the two proofs. There is nothing were the flash is glaring.
]Link[/url]
I am less concerned with date then with brand. Maybe parts are very general between the brands, it doesn't seem like it. I thought I should know the maker to get parts if ever needed.
The K66 is very bold like it should mean something, and all the marks are on the cylinder.

 

[hawkeye2]

There should be proof marks on the frame on the side you haven't shown. Any date code would usually be close by them rather than the cylinder. A date would help narrow it down to the manufacturers existing at that time frame. With some fitting you should be able to make currently available parts fit if you need any. Some manufacturers might be closer to what fits easily than other.

 

[bpd303]

Some makers marked the barrel under the loading lever. I have two DGG revolvers marked there.

 

[Leatherbark]

Pietta's use a .6x75 nipple thread. Uberti's use a smaller coarser thread ??x12 or thereabouts. Don't know about and Armi-San Marco. You might bite the bullet and buy a few small parts like hands or bolts for an Uberti or a Pietta and figure it out from there. Also others here can measure their cylinder lengths for you to help narrow it down. My experience with Armi San Marco 51 Navys is that they had nice deep rifling that you could really tell by looking at the muzzle. Piettas not so deep.

Bob

 

[Battler Britton]

I'm afraid I come a little late, but I just joined he forum.
PR is the maker's mark of one the "famous unknown makers", like GLB and COM and a few others. This mark is usually found on guns imported by FIE or EIG.
Some collectors have tried to track down these makers and learn more about them, to no avail.
Have you found the date code ? it should come in the form of two roman numerals or two capital letters inside a square.

 

[cynthialee]

couldn't tell you

One thing I notice on that old gun, there is not a hint of a drag line on the cylinder. Either it is a replacement or the gun is properly timed.

 

[swathdiver]

PR = Pierino Ruschetta

Seems they made quite a few guns, I have an 1860 Army of theirs that looks quite nice and is in its original display case.

 

[relicshunter]

PR = Pierino Ruschetta

Seems they made quite a few guns, I have an 1860 Army of theirs that looks quite nice and is in its original display case.

swathdiver is correct,I figured it out a while back. As for the date, Ive scoured the pistol in and out and there is no date code anywhere.

 

[swathdiver]

As for the date, Ive scoured the pistol in and out and there is no date code anywhere.

Have a Hawes ASP like that. The markings are in the style of the late 1960s revolvers they made though.

These PRs were made in the late 1960s through at least the 1980s. I've seen a 1969 and 19... I think it's an '87.